Diabetes can be a tricky condition. But we’ve learned a lot in recent years about better ways to diagnose it accurately — and effectively manage and treat it.
Different Types of Diabetes
To some, the various forms of diabetes can be confusing, so let’s break them down:
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Your body produces little to no insulin if you have Type 1 diabetes. It’s a chronic disease that usually begins during childhood. People with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
The most common form is Type 2 diabetes, which occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin and doesn’t properly manage the insulin it has. Some people are able to reverse their Type 2 diabetes by making lifestyle changes.
Type 1.5 Diabetes
Type 1.5 diabetes shares traits of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, which is why this latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is often referred to as Type 1.5.
About LADA, or Type 1.5 Diabetes
Type 1.5 diabetes is named latent autoimmune diabetes in adults because it’s an autoimmune condition that shows up later in life. LADA occurs when your body makes antibodies that attack insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. Over time, the pancreas stops producing insulin, and the effect on your body slowly progresses.
Being an autoimmune condition makes Type 1.5 diabetes similar to Type 1. It differs, however, because we typically diagnose Type 1 diabetes in childhood and LADA in middle-aged adults.
Like Type 2 diabetes, Type 1.5 develops gradually. For this reason, you may receive a misdiagnosis of Type 2 diabetes at first. Symptoms worsen over time, and medication becomes less effective in controlling high blood sugar levels. Turns out, it’s actually Type 1.5 diabetes.
Since it’s caused by an autoimmune condition, there’s no known way to prevent Type 1.5 diabetes. There isn’t a cure, but your provider can help you successfully manage and treat it. Alone, it doesn’t decrease your lifespan. However, delaying treatment or not managing insulin levels can cause other serious health conditions. The best way to care for your health is by managing your blood sugar.
Diagnosing Diabetes
A number of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, in fact, have the LADA form. Tell your health care provider if you have a parent or grandparent with diabetes. A family history increases your risk of Type 1.5 diabetes in particular.
For diagnosis, your provider likely will use blood tests to measure C-peptide and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies. Levels of C-peptide show how much insulin your pancreas makes. And if results show signs of GAD antibodies in your blood, you could have an autoimmune disorder that affects your pancreas, most likely LADA if you’re an adult.
If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor may advise you to adjust your lifestyle and begin taking oral medication. If, over time, you can’t control your blood sugar levels like before, it’s worth asking your doctor if you might have Type 1.5 diabetes.
Symptoms of Type 1.5 Diabetes
Most people with Type 1.5 diabetes have warning signs similar to other forms of the disease. Common symptoms may include:
- Blurry vision
- Dry, itchy skin
- Extreme thirst
- Fatigue
- The need to urinate more often
- Unexpected weight loss
Since LADA develops slowly over time, you may not notice symptoms right away. However, if you notice any of these changes, be sure to visit your health care provider as soon as possible.
Treating Type 1.5 Diabetes
Like any other health condition, treatment can be most effective if diagnosis comes early. If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, talk with your doctor. Even if you’re diagnosed with Type 1.5 diabetes, you may not need to take insulin for months — or even years. When your pancreas eventually stops making insulin, you’ll need oral medications and, later, insulin shots.
Work closely with your health care provider to develop a treatment plan that works for you. Your plan may include lifestyle changes such as exercising, eating healthy, quitting tobacco use and staying at a healthy weight. Follow-up care is important to ensure we can adjust insulin levels as needed.
If you don’t manage the disease properly, it can cause serious health problems. This could include heart disease, kidney damage and diabetes-related ketoacidosis. Talk with your provider about your risk factors, and pay attention to changes in your body and overall health.
Count On Us for Diabetes Care
Some researchers classify LADA as a form of Type 1 diabetes, while others consider it a form of Type 2 diabetes. No matter how you label it, one thing is true: We’re here for you. If you’ve been diagnosed with any form of diabetes — or if you have any symptoms — call us today to learn how we can help you manage it and prevent long-term complications.
Learn more about diabetes care and contact us to schedule an appointment with a diabetes specialist. You’ll be glad you did.
